The GAP Takes Their New Logo and Goes Home

Last week, GAP stores announced they were changing their current logo to something much more simple.

The old logo, which had been around for 20 years, was a dark blue square with a white "GAP" inside it.

The new logo was more modern looking: plain black letters spelling out "Gap" on a white background. Hovering to the right of the "p" in "Gap" was a little blue box.

With lightening speed, images of the new logo spread over the Internet and users of social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr voiced their opinions.

And those opinions were not so kind.

Just as quickly as they announced the change, GAP announced they were bringing back the blue box logo.

This is not the first time a company has reverted back to old ways in response to public outcry.

In 1985, Coca-Cola proudly introduced "New Coke," which they hoped would help them compete with Pepsi. The plan failed miserably as consumers hated the way "New Coke" tasted. Production of the new formula halted in a week and Coca-Cola quickly scrambled to do damage control. 

Last week, Sun Chips announced they were scrapping their biodegradable bag because consumers complained it was too noisy and would be going back to the old, non-compostable bag.

But the thing is, Coca-Cola and Frito Lay had substantial reasons for pulling their products. In the case of "New Coke," consumers didn't like the taste. In the case of Sun Chips, the noisy bag was keeping consumers away.

Sun Chips stuck it out for seven months. GAP buckled after seven days.

Did their sales actually take a tumble in a week? Or is GAP acting like a teenage girl suffering from cyber-bullying?

GAP released a statement yesterday wherein they liken the hubbub over the logo change as consumers being "passionate" about the blue box logo.

"Passionate"? Really? Over a logo?

Maybe the folks at the GAP don't understand how social media works.

Social media breeds commentary. And usually, that commentary is negative. Look at the comments section under any article on any website; it ain't rainbows and lollipops.

While there are undoubtedly people who might stop shopping at the GAP because they're so disgusted by a new logo, those people are few and far between. And weirdos.

Most people just wanted something new to make fun of last week. And the new GAP logo happened to drop into their laps.